boss

Definitions

1. 1.A protuberant ornament on any work, either of different material from that of the work or of the same, as upon a buckler or bridle; a stud; a knob; the central projection of a shield. See Umbilicus.
2. 2.(Arch.) A projecting ornament placed at the intersection of the ribs of ceilings, whether vaulted or flat, and in other situations.
3. 3.Etym: [Cf. D. bus box, Dan. bösse.] A wooden vessel for the mortar used in tiling or masonry, hung by a hook from the laths, or from the rounds of a ladder. Gwilt.
4. 4.(Mech.) (a) The enlarged part of a shaft, on which a wheel is keyed, or at the end, where it is coupled to another. (b) A swage or die used for shaping metals.
5. 5.A head or reservoir of water. [Obs.]
6. 6.To ornament with bosses; to stud.
7. 7.A master workman or superintendent; a director or manager; a political dictator. [Slang, U. S.]

Source: Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913 edition (public domain, via GCIDE / Project Gutenberg).

Related questions

• What does "boss" mean?

Reverse-dictionary questions

Definition-first questions whose answer is boss.

• What is a protuberant ornament on any work, either of different material from that of the work or of the same, as upon a buckler or bridle; a stud; a knob; the central projection of a shield. See Umbilicus called?
• What is a projecting ornament placed at the intersection of the ribs of ceilings, whether vaulted or flat, and in other situations called?
• What is etym: [Cf. D. bus box, Dan. bösse.] A wooden vessel for the mortar used in tiling or masonry, hung by a hook from the laths, or from the rounds of a ladder. Gwilt called?
• What is (a) The enlarged part of a shaft, on which a wheel is keyed, or at the end, where it is coupled to another. (b) A swage or die used for shaping metals called?
• What is a master workman or superintendent; a director or manager; a political dictator. [Slang, U. S.] called?